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UNOOSA participates in ISDR Asia Platform Forum and Regional Consultative Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies
Mar Déc 18 2018
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) participated in two regional meetings organized by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The meetings discussed the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The ISDR-Asia Partnership (IAP) Forum was convened on 11-12...
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FAO and NASA launch Collect Earth Online tool to track landscapes, land-use, disasters
Lun Déc 17 2018
A new tool developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aims to allow users to “systematically inspect” any location on Earth – from glaciers to rainforests - with satellite data. Collect Earth Online (CEO), announced on 12 December 2018, is also expected to be utilized in disaster management.
The...
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UN-SPIDER and SAARC Disaster Management Centre conduct regional training and workshop for South Asian countries
Lun Déc 17 2018
The United Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through its UN-SPIDER progroamme, and the Disaster Management Centre of the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC DMC) conducted a joint regional workshop and training on the “Utilization of Space-based and Geospatial Information for Achieving the Targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction” from 4 to 8 December...
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New publication showcases how Copernicus data helps European local and regional authorities
Ven Déc 14 2018
The European Commission (EC), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies (NEREUS) have launched a new report consisting of 99 stories from European public authorities that showcases how they benefit from Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation programme.
The report intends to serve as a practical handbook exemplifying the different...
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UNOOSA launches space4water portal to promote the use of space technology for sustainable water management
Mar Déc 4 2018
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) launched the space4water portal during the eighth edition of the PSIPW award ceremony hosted at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The new portal will serve as a platform to gather information and strengthen partnerships related to space-based information for water...
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ISRO launches first Indian Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite for Earth observation
Lun Déc 3 2018
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the first Indian Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HySIS) from Sriharikota on 29 November. The satellite is expected to be used for Earth observation in applications related to agriculture, forestry, geology, assessment of coastal zones, and environmental studies. It was one out of 30 commercial satellites from eight different countries...
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Colombia publishes risk atlas to support Sendai Framework implementation
Jeu Nov 29 2018
The Colombian National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Unidad Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres, UNGRD) has recently published the “Colombia Risk Atlas: Revealing Latent Disasters”. The publication strengthens the understanding of disaster risks at the national and regional level, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.
The Atlas highlights different...
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Asia-Oceania GEOSS network for capacity-building conducts joint training on Earth observation for urban, agriculture and disaster monitoring in the Mekong Basin
Sam Nov 24 2018
The National University of Laos (NUOL) and Deqing Academy of Satellite Applications (DASA) conducted a joint Asia-Oceania GEOSS (AOGEOSS) training workshop on Earth observation data for urban, agriculture and disaster monitoring in the Mekong Basin from 15 to 19 October 2018 at the Faculty of Engineering (FE) of the National University of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The workshop was carried...
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2018 World Disasters Report warns about gaps in humanitarian response sector
Ven Nov 23 2018
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and the Austrian Red Cross presented the 2018 World Disasters Report at the United Nations in Vienna on 12 November. The report addresses the need to fill the gaps in humanitarian assistance coverage to avoid the...
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Europe launches its latest weather satellite into orbit
Ven Nov 23 2018
Europe’s newest weather satellite was launched into orbit on 7 November and is set to bring more accurate forecasts than ever.
The rocket was carrying the 4083 kg MetOp-C towards its destination of polar orbit. About 60 minutes after take-off, Soyuz’s upper stage delivered the satellite into orbit and contact was established through the Yatharagga ground station in Australia.
The new satellite is...
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Morocco’s new satellite aims to prevent and manage natural disasters
Jeu Nov 22 2018
Morocco launched a new satellite on 20 November which aims to assist with a range of tasks including the prevention and management of natural disasters, monitoring changes in the environment and desertification, as well as border and coastal surveillance.
Mohammed VI-B, a remote sensing Earth observation satellite, was put into orbit via Arianespace’s Vega launcher which lifted off from Guiana ...
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UN-SPIDER International Expert Meeting discusses use of big space data for disaster risk reduction and emergency reponse in Africa
Dim Nov 11 2018
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through its Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), conducted an International Expert Meeting on 12 November at the UN Campus in Bonn, Germany. “Towards Big (Space) Data in Support of Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Response in Africa” aimed at contributing to an increased...
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China-France Oceanography Satellite to assist with disaster management
Mer Nov 7 2018
China and France launched a new joint Earth observation satellite on 29 October which aims to assist with a range of tasks including global marine monitoring, disaster management, and risk reduction as well as tracking the effects of climate change.
The China-France Oceanography Satellite (CFOSat) was put into orbit via a Long March 2C rocket which lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch...
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New methodology to create maps for decision-making support after earthquakes
Lun Nov 5 2018
Spanish and Ecuadorian researchers have developed a new methodology to estimate faults and volcanoes that can be activated in a region after an earthquake. The approach consist in evaluating changes of static stress on the surrounding faults and volcanoes and producing maps of potentially activated faults and volcanoes.
The main goal of the study is to achieve an effective transfer of knowledge...
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UN-SPIDER and National Council for Science and Technology of Guatemala co-organize seminar on 20th anniversary of Hurricane Mitch
Mer Oct 31 2018
The United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) and the National Council for Science and Technology of Guatemala (CONCYT), through the National Secretariat for Science and Technology (SENACYT), co-organize a seminar in Guatemala from 30 to 31 October about the technological and institutional progress made in Guatemala in...
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UN-SPIDER contributes to USGIF report on Geospatial Intelligence and Resilient Communities
Mer Oct 31 2018
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has recently released a new report on “Building Resilient Communities Through Geospatial Intelligence”. The report highlights the importance of raising awareness about the value of space-based information for early warning systems and risk and disaster management. Moreover, it suggests the need for a better definition of GEOINT within...
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UN World Data Forum calls for funding mechanism to strengthen national statistics systems
Mer Oct 31 2018
A declaration adopted by a wide range of stakeholders at the second United Nations World Data, calls for an increase in financing for better data and statistics for sustainable development. The Dubai Declaration aims to establish a funding mechanism under the mandate of the United Nations Statistics Commission to raise resources to address the data needs for the full implementation of the 2030...
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New United Arab Emirates satellite aims to assist disaster relief efforts
Lun Oct 29 2018
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched a new satellite on 29 October which aims to assist with a range of tasks including aiding relief efforts after disasters.
KhalifaSat, a remote sensing Earth observation satellite, was put into orbit via a H-2A rocket which lifted off from the the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.
The satellite will spend five years in a Low Earth Orbit where it will...
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Eighth UN-SPIDER Beijing conference discusses enhancing disaster preparedness for effective emergency response
Mer Oct 24 2018
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), through the United Nations Platform for Spaced-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), is conducting the eighth edition of the United Nations International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction from 24 to 26 October in Beijing, China. The event is organized together with...
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New report highlights trends in economic and human losses caused by disasters
Mar Oct 23 2018
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) have released a new report that highlights the global trends in disaster losses in the period between 1998 and 2017.
“Economic Losses, Poverty & Disasters1998-2017” shows the significant increase of economic losses caused by climate-related disasters since 1970....
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Delta State University joins network of UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices
Mar Oct 23 2018
Delta State University became the 23rd member of the network of UN-SPIDER Regional Support Offices (RSO) on 1 October. As an RSO, Delta State University will communicate and coordinate with UN-SPIDER on a regular basis, engage in outreach and capacity-building efforts, and contribute to the programme’s technical advisory support activities.
Through its Geospatial Information Technologies Centre (...